2026 Alumna of the Year
“There may never be a more reluctant award winner,” said Alumni Director James Thering of the 2026 Alumnus of the Year. “She actually tried not to accept, telling us how many other people were more deserving.”
However, those familiar with Connie Veit ‘81 McCann know she is deserving of the annual award. She devotes countless hours to school, parish, alumni, and Foundation efforts. It is a running joke in her family that she doesn’t know—or at least use—the word “no”, and certainly not when anyone from Sacred Heart needs help.
Once an SHA parent, she was on the original SHAgala planning committee and has stayed involved over the years. She was also employed by the parish for nearly 10 years, dedicating her work hours and volunteer life to raising money for the Academy and the SHA Foundation.
Since moving into semi-retirement, working at Clark Family Funeral Chapel, Connie continues to dedicate time to Sacred Heart and its many activities, including:
· Sacred Heart Women's Group
· Hope Ministry
· SHAgala volunteer
· Alumni Association & SHA Alumni News
· SHA Foundation Trustee
· Fish Fry Volunteer
Over the years, Connie has connected with alumni in many ways, and worked hard to clean up class lists so the Alumni Office can communicate with SHA graduates via text and email. She helped the Foundation during nine years of unprecedented growth, including the creation of many Named Funds. Connie also led a fundraising campaign for the STEM Lab at SHA, which reached its monetary goal in less than 30 days to ensure renovation could be completed during the school’s summer break.
At Homecoming, Connie will be a double award recipient. As a group, the SHA Foundation Trustees will serve as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Homecoming festivities, so she will be honored in that way as well.
“The Alumni award is wonderful and I am honored,” Connie says. “It puts me in a group with previous winners who are people I admire and respect very much.”
